Links to the Past through Genealogy Curriculum Activities for the Classroom

Synopsis

Links to the Past through Genealogy Curriculum Activities for the Classroom by Midge Frazel

This thought-provoking book provides the tools to incorporate genealogy and family history into the classroom curriculum and create dynamic learning. It discusses the purpose for using genealogy in the classroom and offers the fundamentals of genealogy to make instructors comfortable teaching this topic. The book focuses on ways teachers can make personal history meaningful through personal, community, and national perspectives.

Reviews

This addition to the Kathy Schrock's Every Day of the School Year series (Linworth Learning, a division of Linworth Publishing, Inc.) gives teachers and librarians the background information, resources, and lesson plans they need to integrate the study of genealogy into their classrooms. Midge Frazel starts with the basics, so that teachers can learn along with their students if genealogy is new to them, too. Students learn first to start their research at home, to create a pedigree chart using the correct format, and to cite sources of information. Frazel provides examples from her own family as well as histories of famous Americans so that students can practice before researching their own family histories. Teachers will appreciate Frazel's sensitivity to expanded definitions of family and her advice for including adopted children, children from stepfamilies, and those in other family situations. Additional student activities, mostly focusing on American historical figures, could be easily integrated into the social studies curriculum. All lesson plans include a myriad of excellent Web sites to visit and step-by-step plans for using them with students in a meaningful way. Reproducibles and a thorough bibliography are included. Recommended. - Library Media Connection

About the Author

Midge Frazel is an author, consultant, and genealogist from Bridgewater, MA. Her published works include Daily Celebration Activities.